The 2013 college football season starts with a bang Thursday when North Carolina travels to Columbia to play Jadeveon Clowney and No. 6 South Carolina in a game that, at least for a year, will determine bragging rights on which is the ‘real’ Carolina.

Before everyone kicks things off with a big opening week and what promises to be a memorable campaign, here are 10 bold predictions on what to might be in store for the ACC over the next four months (don’t forget to save them so you can throw them back at me later):

Swinney

10. Clemson will beat Georgia in its opener Saturday, but will take itself out of the national championship conversation by losing at least one ACC game: The Tigers are by far the best team in the league this season and have shown an ability to beat highly ranked SEC teams. But Dabo’s boys also suspect on defense and like their overemotional coach, have a tendency to let their highs get too high and their lows get too low — leading to an inevitable letdown at the worst possible time.

9. The NCAA will finally make a decision on Miami’s infractions case: But who knows when? Just don’t expect the Hurricanes to self-impose another bowl ban if it doesn’t happen by the end of this season.

Blue

8. UNC’s running back by committee will produce similar stats to those of Giovani Bernard last season: The Tar Heels are going to miss the intangibles Bernard provided, even on plays in which he was supposed to be on the field. But when it comes to the raw numbers –1,228 yards, 47 catches and 19 touchdowns – the combination of A.J. Blue, Romar Morris and at least one freshman is good enough to pick up the slack without a major dropoff.

7. Georgia Tech will surprise people, again: For some reason, Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets are easy to overlook. And yet, they almost always seem to be in the hunt for the Coastal Division title. With an improved defense and the added versatility of Vad Lee at quarterback, this year won’t be any different.

6. Virginia Tech will surprise people, but not in a good way: Last year wasn’t a fluke. Although the Hokies should be very good on defense, they’ve got issues on the offensive line and at running back, and a quarterback in Logan Thomas that looks the part of a star, but throws too many interceptions to live up to his hype.

Maryland and its fair weather fans will be the Big Ten’s problem after this season

5. Maryland will play its final ACC game on Nov. 30 and no one will care: Good riddance. Trading in the Terrapins for Louisville is an upgrade in every aspect other than tradition.

4. Neither Syracuse nor Pittsburgh will be a factor in their respective divisions: Both newcomers went to bowls last season, but the Orange is breaking in a new coach and 11 new starters – including a quarterback – while the Panthers are in a little better shape, but still have some rebuilding to do. Neither team will finish last in their division, but they won’t contend, either.

3. The winner of the Duke-Wake Forest game will determine which plays in a bowl: The Blue Devils and Deacons are similar in that both have some talented offensive weapons, shaky defenses and little margin for error. Barring an upset along the way, both should enter the season’s penultimate week needing one more win to gain bowl eligibility. And only one can get it.

Mitchell

2. Thanks to the play of quarterback Brandon Mitchell, N.C. State will win seven games: There’s a reason new coach Dave Doeren brought Mitchell in from Arkansas to run his up-tempo offense as a fifth-year free agent. The Wolfpack won’t be world-beaters. But with a veteran leader, a nice stable of backs and receivers, a solid defense line and a schedule that includes eight home games, the Wolfpack won’t be terrible, either.

1. UNC will win the Coastal Division, for real this year: The Tar Heels and Miami will tie for first, but UNC will win the tie breaker by beating the Hurricanes on Oct. 17. Although they will fall convincingly to Clemson in the ACC Championship game, coach Larry Fedora and his team will at least get to celebrate a divisional title that counts this year.

UNC has the benefit of playing in one of the weakest divisions in the FBS. We will get to see how average they really are this Thursday night at USC. Last year Maryland only lost by 7 at UNC with their 5 string qb (a converted linebacker) behind center. As far as replacing Gio, that’s laughable. UNC lost their top two O lineman in the first three rounds of the NFL draft which will be hard to replace and lets not forget Gio’s receiving and special teams skills. UNC doesn’t get the win vs. State if someone else is returning that punt. When/if UNC gets to play Clemson or Fla State in the ACC championship they are gonna get demolished.

The Tigers are by far the best team? They must have more talent than FSU – No; they must have a better defense than FSU – No; they must have a better O line, running backs, and receiver depth than FSU – No. The only edge CU has over FSU is a senior QB vs. a RSFR QB…but he was the number QB recruit in the country

Sounds like someone’s still sad that Maryland bolted from the ACC. Hurt feelings and all that. If Louisville is such an upgrade, why didn’t the ACC invite them earlier instead of Pitt or Syracuse. Or Boston College for that matter? Not much of an academic school to say the least, among other issues.

If Louisville is such a catch why did the at least two other conferences turn them down? number two in KY and bring with them a small market. Number 2 in Southern Indiana. If you are not from the Louisville metro area you are a UK or IU fan. Yes they are having a great run. Lets see who is better off in 10 years Maryland in the Big10 or Louisville and the ACC. My bet is on the Big10. Big news on the way facility wise for the Terps.

Just let the teams play. Some of what you say may happen this season, but most probably won’t. There are so many intangibles through the season that can change the outcome. Let ‘em play and then talk about it!

UNC will not win the Coastal Division. They will lose to GT, Miami and VT. They’ll also lose to one other conference foe (take your pick). The only way UNC goes to Charlotte in December is if they play in the Belk Bowl or buy a ticket to the ACC Championship Game.

Louisville is a top 25 program with a top 10 recruiting class, maryland is a bankrupt sports program that is 75 million in the hole (after they pay the ACC 54 million) with no profit in sight, maryland will never win the big 10, good riddance to the twerps. Louisville sells out games, last year FSU fans outnumbered maryland fans 2-1 at the FSU vs maryland game.